Tipperary fundraiser for Michael as he battles against cancer

A charity Miles for Michael cycle/walk takes place in Tipperary town on Sunday, October 7 at 10am in aid of the Michael Mullan Cancer Fund.

26-year old Michael Mullan from Eadestown Kildare is fighting cancer for the third time and is currently out-living a diagnosis of 6-months left to live on his 24th birthday.

Michael’s mother Patricia grew up in Breansha and he is the nephew of Dick and Carmel Donovan, Breansha, Tipperary Town.

When Michael was 16-months old he was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a cancer affecting his adrenal glands and stomach.

 At the time there was a one in four chance of survival but after chemotherapy, surgery and a bone marrow transplant he remained cancer free until the age of 22. He was studying in his final year at Trinity when he was diagnosed with renal cell cancer that required a partial nephrectomy, surgery to remove a third of a kidney, on his 22nd birthday. Despite the treatment and recovery time, Michael graduated that year with a first class honours and was awarded a scholarship to Harvard. Four months into his masters at Harvard in Boston, 24-year old Michael’s dreams were crushed again with his third cancer diagnosis metastasized renal cell cancer with a life expectancy of six months.

At 24 years of age Michael had to make a choice between fighting cancer for the third time with debilitating treatment or making the most of his last six months on earth? He chose to fight and after an unsuccessful chemotherapy treatment he took a leap of faith with a new immunotherapy treatment. Although the immunotherapy kept the cancer from spreading, it was extremely tough resulting in liver damage and 3.5 stone weight loss forcing Michael to give up his studies at Harvard and to take a break from all cancer treatments.

With a tremendous resilience Michael began a new-targeted chemotherapy called Cabozantinib but due to visa and health insurance restrictions he also had to resume his studies at Harvard despite undergoing chemotherapy.

Remarkably, and with the help of his girlfriend Melissa who waited outside every one of his classes with a blue sick bag and a wheelchair, Michael completed his thesis from his hospital bed and graduated from Harvard Law in May 2017. However, to keep the cancer at bay, he has to stay in the US to continue maintenance treatment that is not available in Ireland. His medical insurance covers part of the cost but there are still substantial fees that are not covered. Michael would not be alive today if he had not got this specialised treatment. Because he was a student, he had health insurance and as long as he is a student he can retain his student visa to remain in the US and he can keep the health insurance to continue his cancer treatment."

Michael and his partner Melissa currently live in Washington DC where Michael is enrolled as a PhD student in the law school at the American University.

Michael’s extraordinary fight against cancer has a back-story of a life-long dedication to helping others. Michael often visited St. John’s cancer ward in Crumlin where he was treated as a baby, with presents for the patients. He volunteered with the Irish Teenage Cancer Trust, Harvard’s Disability Project, assisted victims of crimes in court and helped out with Best Buddies.

He helped organise Kildare’s Relay for Life which raised €30K and Michael's parents have also been instrumental in setting up the Ronald McDonald housing in Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin. Following Michael's treatment for neuroblastoma, his family and friends came together to give back to the hospital in 1994 and 1995 raising over £50,000 in total. This was used to help with the construction of the Ronald McDonald parent accommodation unit.

Michael has dedicated his personal and professional life to helping those most vulnerable in society. So it is with a heart-felt humility that fundraising is now taking place to help Michael continue his maintenance treatment to beat cancer for the third time.

The 40K cycle or 5K walk leaves Sean Tracey Park, Tipperary Town on Sunday October 7, at 10am. Registration is from 9am. The walk is €20 and the cycle is with donation. Kids go free. For sponsorship cards contact Dick Donovan on 086 314 0722 or Email niamh.donovan@gmail.com

Michael and his partner Melissa say they deeply appreciate all the vital fundraising work being done by friends and communities in Ireland, which is crucial in enabling him to continue to battle cancer.

If you’d like to donate online to help towards Michael’s ongoing treatment go to gofundme Michael Mullan Cancer Fund.